Achill Marathon finishers to receive specially designed medal

ALL who complete Saturday's inaugural Achill Marathon (as well as the half marathon and ultra) will receive a specially commissioned medal designed by local artist Donna McLoughlin.

Also on offer are the usual T-shirts and refreshments as well as post-race live entertainment. Among those entered are survivors of last week's four-marathon Quadrathlon held in Donegal. Winner was Geoff Smyth in 13:42.57, followed by Dubliner Ger Copeland and Mark Melia from Trim AC. Eilish Bell was first woman.

Shuttle bus service will takerunners to Frank Duffy 10-Mile

A SHUTTLE bus service is on offer to those running Saturday's Airtricity Frank Duffy 10-Mile in Dublin's Phoenix Park. The shuttle starts at 8.30am from Frank Sherman Bridge on Parkgate Street (opposite Heuston Station) with the last bus leaving at 9.30am. This year's race takes in a slightly adjusted course, although the start and finish are still in the Furze Road area.

Rockford Rooftiles 4-Mile offers refreshing change for runners

TAKE a trip to Carlow for an evening out at Saturday's Rockford Rooftiles 4-Mile in Tinryland (5.30pm) and you're sure of a great welcome. This long-standing race offers legendary 'refreshments' as well as some of the best spot prizes in the country – a €1,000 holiday voucher, LCD TV, digital camera and weekend for two. Entry is €12 or €15 on the night.

Leopardstown Racecourse run to raise funds for four Irish charities

LEOPARDSTOWN Racecourse is the venue on Sunday, September 1 (noon) for the inaugural Gathering Charity 8km Run – guaranteed to be a fun day for all the family. Entry fee is €22 with every cent split between four charities – Irish Hospice Foundation, National Council for the Blind, Crumlin Children's Hospital and Irish Heart Foundation. Entry is now open at www.charitychallenges.ie or call Grainne on 087-2055566.

Entry for Longford Marathon, half and ultra races closes on Friday

ENTRY for Sunday's Longford Marathon, half marathon and ultra closes on Friday. Late entry fees are €60 for the marathon, €140 for a marathon relay team, €50 for the half marathon and €70 for the ultra.

The weekend starts with the traditional St Christopher's Breakfast Run on Saturday morning, followed by registration all day and a pasta party that night. Numbers can also be collected on Sunday morning.